Fluid connector

Abstract

A fluid connector generally comprising a housing having a longitudinal opening therethrough and at least one transverse opening therethrough intersecting with the longitudinal opening and providing at least one transversely disposed bearing surface, a conduit insertable in the longitudinal housing opening in a coupling position, the coupling having a fluid passageway communicating with the longitudinal housing opening and an annular flange spaced from the transverse bearing surface when the conduit is in the coupling position, means providing a seal between the housing and inserted conduit, a retainer disposed in the longitudinal housing opening including at least one leg section having a transversely deflectable retaining leg portion disposed between the annular flange portion of the conduit and the housing, the retaining leg portion having a pad portion engageable with the transverse bearing surface whereby upon application of fluid pressure to the connector tending to eject the conduit from the housing, the force exerted thereby is caused to be transmitted through the conduit annular flange, the retaining leg portion and the pad portion thereof to the housing and means for selectively deflecting the retainer leg portion transversely to permit the removal of the conduit from the housing.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fluid connector comprising: a housing having a longitudinal opening therethrough, said housing having at least one transverse opening therethrough intersecting said longitudinal opening and providing at least one transversely disposed bearing surface;   a conduit having a leading end portion insertable in said longitudinal housing opening in a coupling position, said conduit having a fluid passageway communicating with said longitudinal housing opening and an annular flange disposed within said longitudinal housing opening and spaced from said transverse bearing surface when said conduit leading end portion is in said coupling position;   means providing a seal between said housing and said conduit when said conduit leading end portion is in said coupling position;   means disposed in said longitudinal housing opening for releasably retaining said conduit leading end portion in said coupling position, said retaining means including at least one leg section having a transversely deflectable retaining leg portion disposed between said conduit annular flange and said housing, said retaining leg portion having a pad portion engageable with said transverse bearing surface whereby upon application of fluid pressure to said connector tending to eject said conduit from its coupling position in said housing, the force exerted thereby is caused to be transmitted through said conduit annular flange, said retaining leg portion and the pad portion thereof engaging said transverse bearing surface to said housing; and   means for selectively deflecting said retainer leg portion transversely to permit the removal of said conduit from said housing.   
     
     
       2. A fluid connector according to claim 1 wherein said transverse housing opening comprises a slot. 
     
     
       3. A fluid connector according to claim 1 including a pair of transverse openings in said housing disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of said housing and intersecting said longitudinal housing opening, providing a plurality of circumferentially spaced transverse bearings surfaces. 
     
     
       4. A fluid connector according to claim 3 wherein each of said transverse housing openings comprises a slot. 
     
     
       5. A fluid connector according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes an annular section which engages an annular interior wall of said longitudinal housing opening, is engaged by said conduit annular flange when said conduit leading end portion is in said coupling position and receives said conduit leading end portion therethrough, at least one leg section including a support leg portion extending rearwardly and outwardly from said annular section and said deflectable retaining leg portion forming a continuation of said support leg portion and extending forwardly and inwardly toward the opening of said annular section, and said retaining leg portion having at least one pad portion engaging said transverse bearing surface. 
     
     
       6. A fluid connector according to claim 5 wherein the adjoining ends of said support and retaining leg portions form a reverse bend portion which is disposed out of longitudinal alignment with any adjacent portion of said housing whereby upon application of fluid pressure to said connector tending to eject said conduit from its coupling position in said housing, no force exerted thereby shall be transmitted through said bend portion to said housing. 
     
     
       7. A fluid connector according to claim 6 wherein said longitudinal housing opening has an end section provided with a substantially oblong cross-sectional configuration, said housing is provided with a pair of transverse openings therein disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of said housing and intersecting said end section of said longitudinal housing opening to provide circumferentially spaced, transversely disposed bearing surfaces on said housing, said retaining means includes two legs providing pad portions engaging said transverse bearing surfaces and said reverse bend portions between said support and retaining leg portions are disposed out of longitudinal alignment with said housing. 
     
     
       8. A fluid connector according to claim 5 wherein said retaining leg portion includes at least one radially projecting wing portion and said pad portion is disposed on said wing portion. 
     
     
       9. A fluid connector according to claim 5 wherein said deflecting means comprises a release member disposed in said longitudinal housing opening for axial displacement therein, said release member having at least one cam surface engageable with a retaining leg portion of said retainer means for camming said retaining leg portion outwardly upon displacement of said release member axially inwardly relative to said housing for deflecting said retaining leg portion outwardly and releasing said conduit. 
     
     
       10. A fluid connector according to claim 9 wherein said release member includes a leading end portion engageable with said annular retainer section of said retaining means for limiting the axial forward displacement of said release member and correspondingly limiting the engagement of said cam surface with said retainer leg portion and the outward deflection thereof. 
     
     
       11. A fluid connector according to claim 9 wherein said release member includes means cooperable with at least one surface of said housing for guiding said release member axially. 
     
     
       12. A fluid connector according to claim wherein said sealing means comprises a pair of axially spaced bushings mounted on said housing within said longitudinal housing opening and adapted to receive said conduit leading end portion therethrough when in said coupling position and at least one 0-ring disposed between said bushings providing a seal between said housing and said conduit leading end portion. 
     
     
       13. A fluid connector according to claim 12 wherein said bushings are snap-fit into fixed relation with said housing. 
     
     
       14. A fluid connector according to claim 12 wherein said longitudinal housing opening is provided with a pair of axially spaced annular grooves and each of said bushing includes an annular projection portion adapted to snap into one of said grooves. 
     
     
       15. A fluid connector according to claim 12 including a pair of O-rings disposed between said bushings and separated by an annular spacer. 
     
     
       16. A fluid connector according to claim 12 wherein one of said bushings is engaged by said retaining means to restrict the forward displacement of said retaining means. 
     
     
       17. A fluid connector according to claim 1 wherein said housing is formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
       18. A fluid connector according to claim 1 wherein said housing is formed of a material that is highly heat and chemical resistant. 
     
     
       19. A fluid connector according to claim 1 wherein said housing is formed of polyphenol sulfide. 
     
     
       20. A fluid connector according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means is formed of stainless steel.